Impact of genomics on fungal biology, a meeting report on the 16th NPS by Ralf Voegele and Kurt Mendgen.

Programme, abstracts and participants [PDF]

Winning posters

First prize went to Minna Kemppainen for her poster entitled Agrobacterium-based gene transfer for post-genomic research in Laccaria bicolor. Two runner-up prizes were also awarded
to Aurélie Deveau and Aurélie Huser. Click on the posters to download the pdf version, poster abstracts are listed in the abstract book

Winning poster

Agrobacterium-based gene transfer for post-genomic research in Laccaria bicolor by Minna Kemppainen

Runner-up posters
by Aurélie Deveau and Aurélie Huser

Scope

Whole genome sequencing and functional genomics are revolutionizing our understanding of biological mechanisms in fungi. To date, the genomes of 40 fungal species (both ascomycetous and basidiomycetous) have been released and a further 50 genome-sequencing projects are underway, and include pathogens and symbiotic fungi as well as those that serve as basic models for molecular and cellular biology. The overall purpose of these initiatives is to build on available resources and to provide a comprehensive understanding of fungal biology, ecology and biotechnology. Remarkable progress has been made already and through the combination of comparative genomics of saprobic, pathogenic and symbiotic fungi and new experimental approaches (such as transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and imaging of living cells) a conceptual framework is being generated for understanding the development, physiology and ecology of fungi, in which model predictions can now be tested at the molecular level. This symposium will bring together relevant parties involved in fundamental and practical aspects of this exciting and multidisciplinary subject area in order to provide a timely discussion forum for a better appreciation of fungal genomics and its impact on the biology of these organisms.

Symposium format

Three days of invited talks, posters, and discussion in the city of Nancy (France), world-famous for its beautiful Golden Gates of Stanislas Square and ‘Art Nouveau’ houses and museum. The meeting will be divided into the following themes: 1) Fungal structure and development, 2) Fungal genomics - from sequence to application, 3) Secretion and transport systems, and 4) Metabolomics. We hope that this will stimulate discussion and the exchange of ideas at what will be a relatively small (around 100–120 delegates) and informal meeting.

Contact

If you would like to receive further information relating to this meeting please get in touch with Holly Slater (New Phytologist) – newphytol@lancaster.ac.uk

New Phytologist Central Office
Bailrigg House
Lancaster University
LA1 4YE, UK.
Tel: +44 1524 594 691
Fax: +44 1524 594 696

Fungal genomics symposium logo by Sam Day. Illustrations: Aspergillus and Neurospora crassa confocal images courtesy of Patrick Hickey (LUX Biotechnology Ltd, Edinburgh). Laccaria bicolor–Douglas fir interaction courtesy of D Vairelles (INRA-Nancy). Tumor formation in maize induced by an Ustilago maydis infection, courtesy of Regine Kahmann and Jörg Kämper (MPI-Marburg, Germany). Confocal image of spores, courtesy of Patrick Hickey (LUX Biotechnology Ltd, Edinburgh). Amanita muscaria, Alternaria in conidia phase, Coprinus comatus, and micrograph of Actinomycete spores images courtesy of Gordon Beakes (University of Newcastle upon Tyne; LTN Bioscience). Impact of genomics on fungal biology is sponsored by the New Phytologist Trust.